Preston North End have confirmed the signing of former Blues loanee Ben Pringle from Fulham for an undisclosed fee. The 27-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at Deepdale.
Pringle spent the final three months of last season with Town making nine starts and one sub appearance, scoring two goals.
On the final day of the campaign manager Mick McCarthy said the Blues wouldn't be looking to recruit the midfielder on a permanent basis.
Town tried to sign another of last season’s loan players, Liam Feeney, but the 29-year-old was eventually offered significantly better terms by Blackburn Rovers and moved to Ewood Park following his release by Bolton.
AFC Bournemouth are not expected to loan out Ryan Fraser for another season, while McCarthy said in April that he would be interested in bringing 18-year-old Ainsley Maitland-Niles back on loan from Arsenal if he was available, although was sceptical whether that would be the case.
"Ainsley, I’d have him back in a heartbeat,” he said, but added, "I doubt very much that he will come back, but I would have him, without a doubt. It’s up to him and Arsenal and we’ll see.”
Speaking last week, McCarthy said he was talking to Premier League clubs about taking players on loan but with no signings imminent.
With FIFA having scrapped emergency loans, EFL clubs can now only sign players on a half-season or season-long basis.